8001 West Belmont Avenue River Grove
Exact Construction Date: 1961
Primary Materials: Brick
Historic Use: Holy Cross High School for Boys and Mother Theodore Guerin High School for Girls
Current Use: Guerin College Prep
(at time of survey)
Status: Demolished
Building Classification: Building
Primary Type: Education
General Notes:
RT Milord, general contractor. Set on a 23-acre campus, the boys’ school opened in 1961, followed by the girls’ school in 1962. Low enrollment caused the Holy Cross School for Boys to close in 2004 and the remaining school to reopen as a coed school, renamed Guerin College Prep, in 2005. It operated through the 2019-20 school year, after which the decision was made to close. The school was inaccessible during the survey. However, from historic photos, the interiors of the chapel and the gymnasium exhibit architectural significance.
The schools were demolished in August 2021. The exterior mosaic entitled “Our Lady of River Grove” was saved from demolition.
Roof Form: Flat
Surveyors: J.E., S.H., L.M. Mother Guerin HS photos: Rosanne Dattalo Eiternick
Survey Date: 11/15/2010
Noteworthy Classification Features:
Plan with hexagonal pavilions, chapel interior, gymnasium interior.